Multimodality monitoring and the diagnosis of traumatic caroticocavernous fistula following head injury

Abstract

Increases in jugular bulb saturations (SjO 2 ) following head injury are usually due to hyperaemia. Less commonly this may be due to the development of an arteriovenous fistula. We describe how SjO 2 monitoring can be used in conjunction with transcranial Doppler ultrasound to make the distinction between these two conditions, which require distinct therapies. Multimodality monitoring in acute injury provides information regarding underlying pathophysiology and permits individualization of therapy.

• Caroticocavernous Fistula Cerebral Oximetry Head Injury Multimodality Monitoring Transcranial Doppler